There are bits of sample code, but the explanation is very much geared towards someone who is most likely from a Microsoft MFC background, and certainly towards experienced C++ programmers. As someone who can write C++ code, but more often works with VB, .NET or another higher-level language, the explanations are verbose to the point of tediousness. At the point of getting halfway through the book you still probably wouldn't feel comfortable trying to start writing your own Symbian UIQ programs.

There is lots of genuinely useful information, so I guess the problem is in the approach - it explains a lot about the Symbian platform, then explains the minutae of how to approach Symbian differently to desktop platforms, then moves back towards how to code for it, rather than starting with a good example, explaining the major aspects, then delving the depths, the details, and the reasons behind things.

If you're wanting to learn about the Symbian platform, its origins, its limitations, its memory management, the mind-set that you should approach it with, and then, finally, how to code for it, then this book will help you with that... otherwise, it's good bed-time reading to help you sleep at night.


An ultimate guide to developers   October 28, 2003
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Pretty much similar to Professional Symbian Programming, but written more concisely. If you understand the battleship game implementation described in the book , then you will have a very good base to program for Symbian OS. Could have been better if there were some exercise project/programs. But it takes a rather professional approach.


OK but needs to be compacted   May 16, 2003
 7 out of 11 found this review helpful

The information contained in this book is good, but sometimes a bit convoluted. Not ideal if you want to wizz through the cornerstones of the Symbian OS/Framework though good as a tutorial. But there aren't any self assesment questions or projects, as with most tutorial type texts.

Additionally you will need the Metrowerks IDE to step through the code to really understand the examples. The book only comes with a 15 day licence for Metrowerks, not the 30 days as advertised.